Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Canadian Foundation for the Advancement of Orthodontics (CFAO)

The Canadian Foundation for the Advancement of Orthodontics (CFAO) is a national charitable foundation created in 1981 under the umbrella of the Canadian Association of Orthodontists. Its purpose is to advance the science and art of orthodontics in Canada by providing financial support for education, clinical and basic research, and public‑health initiatives. While hosted on the CAO website, the foundation has its own board of directors, mandate and contact information.

Through donations from individual orthodontists, corporate partners, speakers and professional colleagues, the CFAO supports a portfolio of initiatives rather than a single program. It funds the student poster program and the Latest Advancements in Canadian Orthodontic Research (LACOR) symposium held during the annual CAO Scientific Session, as well as the McIntyre premier lecture. The foundation also underwrites CAO educational webinars, which have taken on particular importance during and after the COVID‑19 pandemic.

A core focus of the CFAO is financial assistance for Canadian postgraduate orthodontic students. The foundation helps cover specific research requirements such as statistical analysis, required computer time and software, and travel to international scientific meetings where students present their work. The extensive online library of conference posterboard abstracts illustrates the breadth of research activity supported, spanning universities across Canada and topics from biomechanics to sleep apnea and oral‑health outcomes.

The McIntyre Fellowship Program is a named fund within the foundation. CAO members who make a one‑time, tax‑deductible contribution of $500 to the CFAO are recognized as McIntyre Fellows, honouring Dr. Reyburn R. McIntyre, the founding president of the CAO. These contributions strengthen the endowment that in turn finances lectureships, scholarships and research‑related activities.

Beyond academic and professional development, the CFAO invests in access‑to‑care initiatives. In 2016 it launched Smiles4Canada, described as a nationwide public‑health goodwill program of the foundation. The program helps fund orthodontic treatment for deserving children with significant orthodontic needs whose families cannot afford care. CAO member orthodontists provide the clinical treatment on a pro bono basis, while the foundation manages the program framework and associated costs. Hundreds of Canadian children have benefited to date.

The CFAO relies on diverse donation mechanisms to maintain and grow its fund. Members can add a voluntary contribution when paying their annual CAO membership dues, make one‑time gifts including In Memoriam donations, or contribute through corporate giving. Donors receive charitable tax receipts for the foundation portion of their payment. Recognition opportunities such as listing McIntyre Fellows reflect the foundation’s emphasis on transparency and engagement with its supporter community.

The foundation is governed by a board of directors composed of practising orthodontists from across Canada, including a president and secretary/treasurer. The CFAO shares office coordinates with the CAO in Toronto, ensuring administrative support while maintaining its specific philanthropic mission. Overall, it plays a significant role in nurturing the next generation of orthodontic specialists, supporting Canadian research output, and improving access to orthodontic care for children in need.